The Treatment –
Power Crazy
I was a fan back
in the early days of this band, seeing them supporting (and demolish) their
headline act at the time who was Thin Lizzy. For some strange reason I parted
ways with them not long after their second album, only to come around full
circle again after seeing them in Rebellion last year with Dhani Mansworth’s dads
band, Airrace in support (emphasis on ‘ace!’). The catalyst for this change was
down to (recent) new vocalist Tom Rampton. He had more style and swagger, was a
pretty good front man, and most importantly, the bloke could sing. Here we are,
at album number four, ‘Power Crazy’ and I wanted to see if the live show energy
is represented and transferred onto an album…
The guys have
taken the basic ingredients of bands such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Accept and
Krokus, (if you’re in the 30 and under age group you may need to ask your dad
about Krokus, Rose Tattoo and Accept), and mix simple but splintering riffs,
with more than a splash of melody – and opening track ‘Let’s Get Dirty’ is a
prime example of this recipe. Its instantly headbang-able, and worm planted in
your lug’oles for instant repeat and gratification. ‘Rising Power’ is similarly
based, but with a bit more speed and tempo. ’On The Money’ is bluesier, and
could be a ZZ Top song in any other life. With a song like ‘Bite Back’ you
don’t need to delve into your thesaurus to get to know that the song is going
to have punch, and er…..bite! The immediate impact that Rampton has given The Treatment
is hard to deny, as rasp and pitch to his vocals that make a match made in
heaven. He is even elevating what could be an average song for anyone else, but
in their hands, as song like ‘Luck Of The Draw’ rises like cream.
‘Hang Them High’
(watch the video above, its proper old skool), shows the lads taking on the
best and winning. Fast, frenetic, dirty - it ticks a lot of boxes – and AC/DC
could only dream of a song like this at their age! ‘Scar With Her Name’ riff
reminds me a bit of Andy Taylors ‘I Might Lie’, but I’m probably writing shite
as usual. ‘King Of the City’ should be on the next GTA - its just me kind of music to run someone over
in! ‘Waiting For The Call’ takes a step back, and goes for the slower, but non-less
effective approach. ‘Laying It Down’ is full on in yer face, and expect it to
be a live addition. ’The Fighting Song’ encapsulates all that is good about The
Treatment; bluesy, hard and gritty. Closer ‘Falling Down’ is in more of a
classic rock style if Quo and Rainbow got together for a session. The album
also has a bonus of an acoustic version of
‘Bite Back’. The vocals are pretty much the same as the fully powered
240V version, when I was expecting a little more subtlety.
The Treatment have
laid their collective hearts on the line to bring you ‘Power Crazy’. It’s the
best I’ve heard them sound. They have always been very good, but its now their
time to shine.
It’s not difficult
to emulate bands like AC/DC, but very few bands can do it as well as them. The
Treatment have the craft, age, and experience on their side. If you think this
is good, well, they are only just hitting their stride….
Should AC/DC do a
final flurry of a tour, I can think of no better band to support them (and to
push and cajole a performance out of them)
The Treatment? Its
just what the Doctor ordered!
8.5/10
The Treatment -
Tom Rampton –
Vocals
Tagore Grey –
Guitar
Tao Grey – Guitar
Dhani Mansworth –
Drums
Rick Newman - Bass
Tracklisting -
Rising Power
On The Money
Bite Back
Luck Of The Draw
Hang Them High
Scar With Her Name
King Of The City
Waiting For The
Call
Laying It Down
The Fighting Song
Falling Down
Released 22nd
March 2019
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